Community Corner

Wrentham Cable 8 to Sponsor Tougias Presentation

Wrentham Cable 8 to host author Michael Tougias for two-part presentation.

 

Wrentham Cable Access has invited noted author Michael Tougias to give a personal presentation of his latest book, "A Storm Too Soon " 

On Feb. 13 at 7pm.  In the Wrentham Developmental Center auditorium,  Tougias will give a two part presentation.  The first part will be a slide lecture regarding his 2013 book from Simon and Schuster: A Storm Too Soon a True Story of Disaster, Survival and Incredible Rescue. 

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This event happened 250 miles out to sea in one of the world’s most dangerous places, the Gulf Stream.  After their boat sank, three men, a Canadian, a Brit, and their captain, JP DeLutz, a dual citizen of America and France must survive in a life raft. 

Eighty foot waves repeatedly toss the men out of their tiny vessel, and JP, with nine broken ribs, is hypothermic and on the verge of death.  The captain, however, is a tough minded character, having survived a sadistic, physically abusive father during his boyhood, and now he’s got to rely on those same inner resources to outlast the storm. 

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Trying to reach these survivors before it’s too late are four Coast Guardsmen battling hurricane force winds in their Jayhawk helicopter.  They know the waves in the Gulf Stream will be extreme, but when they arrive they are astounded to find crashing seas of seventy feet, with some waves topping 80 feet. 

To lower the helicopter and then drop a rescue swimmer into such chaos is a high risk proposition. The pilots wonder if they have a realistic chance of saving the sailors clinging to the broken life raft, and if they will be able to retrieve their own rescue swimmer from the towering seas. 

Once they commit to the rescue, they find themselves in almost as much trouble as the survivors, facing several life and death decisions. 

Three other vessels with 10 people aboard were caught in the storm, and only six survived. This 2007 disaster prompted one of the largest and most intense rescues in Coast Guard history. 

Tougias will use slides of the storm, the survivors, and the rescue.  Amazingly, the Coast Guard helicopter crew photographed the men in the raft being pounded by towering waves.

After a brief intermission, feature refreshments, Tougias will present his second slide lecture Survival Lessons: Inspiration, Goal Attainment & Decision-making From Those Who Have Survived Against All Odds. 

This inspirational and interactive Power Point slide presentation first illustrates the survival stories Tougias has researched and then discusses the lessons learned.

Tougias has conducted extensive research involving people who have survived disasters in the face of incredible odds. All of these individuals felt completely overwhelmed but quickly learned the secrets of channeling and managing their energy into proactive decisions that allowed them to survive.

The author has learned that the techniques used by survivors can help all of us achieve our dreams, manage rapid change, operate at peak performance, and lead more fulfilling, productive lives.

A book signing will follow the programs, and the presentations are suitable for all ages. The evening events will end at 8:45.  Admission is free and everyone is invited to attend.

For additional Information and directions to the Wrentham Developmental Center auditorium, visit www.wrenthamcableaccess.com

 

 

 

 


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